Ahold, Delhaize Agree on Merger

BRUSSELS-Supermarket giants Royal Ahold and Delhaize have reached an agreement to merge the two businesses.

Under the terms of the agreement, which will create a combined company to be called Ahold Delhaize, Delhaize shareholders will receive 4.75 Ahold ordinary (nonpreferred) shares for each Delhaize ordinary share. Ahold shareholders will own about 61 percent of the combined company’s equity, with Delhaize shareholders owning the remaining 39 percent.

Mats Jansson, Delhaize’s chairman, will become chairman of Ahold Delhaize. Dick Boer, CEO of Ahold, will become CEO of the combined company. The two businesses reported aggregated net sales of €54.1 billion (about $60.8 billion according to recent exchange rates) for 2014.

A joint statement from the two companies said the merger is expected to be finalized by mid-2016.

The statement said the merger “will bring significant benefits and long-term value to customers, associates and shareholders.” Among these benefits will be a “complementary base” of 6,500 stores in the United States and Europe, serving 50 million consumers; more choices in products, services and shopping options; increase in the impact of social responsibility and sustainability programs; and “significant value creation potential for shareholders.”